My friend is depressed and he doesn't want to talk

One of my best friends is very depressed recently. I'm trying to help him yet he doesn't want to talk about his problems. he's a very secretive and reserved person. he never ever talks about his problem to anymore, not even to his best friends. I'm so worried about him. i really want to help him but it's very hard to approach as he refuses to say a single word of his problems. What should I do?

by the way, the only tiny info i got is that yesterday he asked me what i think of him. i said, "you are a great person and one of the coolest guys i've ever met." He said, "that would be funny if it was true." And i confirmed that it IS true and told him that he needs more self-confidence. Then I presumed that maybe there're some people there think ill of him or look down upon him. So i asked him if it was that but he didn't say anything. Now i'm completely confused. every time i asked him "what's wrong?" or "what happened?" he said "nothing" and i knew there can not be "nothing"! Gosh I SO MUCH want to help him but he keeps hiding his feelings and thoughts which makes me don't know HOW to offer my help. Any suggestion?

i don't really know what to tell you about your friend. do you say things like, "you seem really down, is there anything i can do?"...everyone is different and respond on different levels. i wish i could offer more, but i can't. good luck, pat

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